resigned his
position as Governor to take the seat in the United States Senate, to
which he had been elected. The last paper to which he affixed his
signature as Governor of Tennessee, proclaimed martial law in certain
counties, and ordered troops to be sent thither. This proclamation was
dated February 20, 1869. In a short while it was followed by a
proclamation from the "Grand Wizard of the Invisible Empire" to his
subjects.

This proclamation recited the legislation directed against the Klan,
and stated that the order had now, in large measure, accomplished the
objects of its existence. At a time when the civil law afforded
inadequate protection to life and property, when robbery and
lawlessness of every description were unrebuked, when all the better
elements of society were in constant dread for the safety of their
property, persons and families, the Klan had afforded protection and
security to many firesides, and, in many ways contributed to the
public welfare. But greatly to the regret of all good citizens, some
members of the Klan had violated positive orders; others, under the
name and disguises of the organization, had assumed to do acts of
violence, for which the Klan was held responsible. The Grand Wizard
had been invested with the power to determine questions of paramount
importance to the interests of the order. Therefore, in the exercise
of that power, the Grand Wizard declared that the organization
heretofore known as the Ku Klux Klan was dissolved and disbanded.

Members were directed to burn all regalia and paraphernalia of every
description, and to desist from any further assemblies or acts as Ku
Klux.[53] The members of the Klan were counseled in the future as
heretofore, to assist all good people of the land in maintaining and
upholding the civil laws, and in putting down lawlessness. This
proclamation was directed to all Realms, Dominions, Provinces and
"Dens" in "the Empire." It is reasonably certain that there were
portions of the Empire never reached by it. The Klan was widely
scattered and the facilities for communication exceedingly poor. The
Grand Wizard was a citizen of Tennessee. Under the statute just now
quoted newspapers were forbidden to publish anything emanating from
the Klan. So that there was no way in which this proclamation could be
generally disseminated.

Where it was promulgated, obedience to it was prompt and implicit.
Whether obeyed or not, this proclamation terminated th